[NB – This article was first published on Sikhnet.Com, and is published with kind permission of Mr Aul]

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Siri Wahe Guru JI Ki Fateh…Sat Nam Jio,
In response to whether there has ever been an “Amritdhari” who has continued to practise the lifestyle of a Sikh while being a homosexual, I will have you know that in fact I am one who would fall into that category. It is my constant prayer and hope that there will be more who will have enough courage to “come out” of the closet and shine and be liberated just as I have.

It is my firm belief that if we cannot even read the first two words of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and understand them to their fullest, then there is no need to go on faking a way of life to live nor go on to read any of the remaining 1430 pages of this beautiful scripture.

Ik Ongkar, Sat Nam – Everything stems from these two concepts.

Ik Ongkar – There is but ONE Creation – even homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals are part of that same One Creation set on this earth plane by the Infinite Paramatma.

Sat Nam – Truth is Thy Name – the only way that we can actually say this every morning in our daily Japji Sahib Bani and for those of us that have any dealings or connections with the 3HO Foundation or North American Sikhs; greet everyone in the communities around the world with this “Sat Nam” phrase, as if we are actually living up to OUR OWN TRUTH.

By being Gay or Bi and being honest about this type of sexual orientation to the entire world around us, while living up to the spirituality of the Sikh faith and not the religious aspects, only then can we say to people Sat Nam and really mean it. Only then can we read our Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and repeatedly chant Sat Nam. Only then can we read our daily Banis as an “Amritdhari” and not be a hypocrite at the same time.

Living the life of a spiritual Sikh is definitely like walking the double-edged sword (Khanda) however, in the symbol of the Adi Shakti we also see that if we land up swaying one way or the other in life’s trials and tribulations, while it would be very easy to get cut by one of the edges of this sacred Khanda, we also have the two swords of Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (Miri and Piri) ready to catch us with the dull side in towards us.

This is very symbolic and represents the life of every Sikh who attempts to live up to the values and examples that our beloved Sikh Gurus brought to us during their reign on this earth plane.

It is my honest opinion that in the Sikh faith, “it is not the life that you lead BUT the courage that you bring to it”. If I, one person, can stand tall in the crowds of many as an Amritdhari Sikh who has a great deal of respect and love for the Guru, while being a homosexual and living up to the essence of Siri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s message to the entire Sikh race, then what am I doing wrong?

I too, am part of that Ik Ongkar, that Sat Nam; and was it not EQUALITY that Guru Amar Das Ji preached to the universe during his reign?

Why then should I be discriminated against simply due to the fact that I was born a Gay Male? I practise the spirituality of Sikhism not the religion nor the politics or the social acceptances. I could care less for those aspects of any world religion.

I am a spiritual being having a human experience, therefore my spirituality is more important than that of my sexual orientation. Living up to diversity is a challenge in life, but through the love and guidance of the Guru, anyone can overcome these blocks in the road to liberation.

I strongly urge and welcome any other Gay, Lesbian, Bi or Transsexuals out there who are Sikhs struggling with the difficulty of living up to who you are as a Sikh and how this affects you to contact me via e-mail (jazzy1977 |at| hotmail |dot| com) as I have gone through the experience and if anything, this experience has brought me even closer to the Lotus Feet of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Not sure if I should leave a comment for this, but I enjoyed reading this post 🙂 Sometimes I think blogs should have “Like” buttons.

Taranjit Singh writes:

August 10th, 2012 at 5:32 PM

There is no place of racism in Sikhism. Either its color, cast, nationality or sexual interest. If anybody is Gay or Lesbian then its wish of Akal Purakh. Akal Purakh has made them like this. who are we to object it? If we hate or discriminate any body just because his sexual interests are different than ours then its a Sin. Waheguru see good deeds only.

preet singh writes:

July 19th, 2013 at 8:08 AM

In reality, i am speechless on this article and agree with you, there is no need to say more then your HUMANISTIC THOUGHTS.